You’ve heard it here, and you’ve heard it everywhere: this year isn’t a great year for running backs. Besides cover-star RB Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame who will be going in the top ten, there aren’t very many for-sure tailback prospects in this draft. The floor of four and five-star prospects is still there, but many of these players have experienced setbacks, a scarcity of snaps, or sub-par seasons that stymied their draft stock (try saying that ten times fast!). Don’t let the comparisons to the legendary
2025 RB class let you think that there isn’t serious firepower this year, though. There’s still some starting caliber talent to be found here, and there’s especially some bruisers that would fit perfectly in a Houston offense looking for some more grit on their roster. Just like my TE prospects and DT prospects posts, these are not the five best RBs of the 2026 NFL Draft, but five prospects that I think are best for the Houston Texans. You won’t find Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love on this list, and it’s not because I have a hot take about him, but more so because I don’t expect the Texans to ever get a chance at drafting him. The players I’ve included below I believe the Texans will have a realistic chance of drafting as well as have an argument for wanting on their team. So, now that that’s in order, here’s my five favorite RB prospects for the Texans to target in the 2026 draft class:
Honorable Mentions: RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State: RB Seth McGowan, Kentucky; RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
5. RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
- Measurements: Height: 5’ 8 ⅛”; Weight: 220 lbs.; Hand: 9 ⅛”; Arm: 28 ⅞”; Bench Press: 22 Reps
- 2025 Stats: 156 Atts; 758 Rush Yds. (4.9 Y/A); 15 Rush TDs; 31 Recs; 354 Rec Yds. (11.4 Y/R); 2 Rec TDs; 82.1 PFF Grade (83.8 Run, 60.3 Pblk, 63.3 Rblk); Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
- 2024 Stats: 193 Atts; 1,053 Rush Yds. (5.5 Y/A); 10 Rush TDs; 23 Recs; 177 Rec Yds. (7.7 Y/R) 86.3 PFF Grade (87.2 Run; 76.9 Pblk; 56.9 Rblk); Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
- Draft Range: Rounds 3-5
Jonah Coleman offers a lot of spunk at his…compact height. One of many former Arizona Wildcats that finished his collegiate career in Washington, Coleman became the bowling ball to the Huskies’ prolific offense, stabbing through opposing defenses with a level of brutality rarely seen from a running back below the height of 5’ 10”.. He can bounce between the tackles and push through them with ease, and strangely enough, his lack of height may help him considering his weight and play style. He’s not exceptionally fast, either, but Coleman’s decision making at the line of scrimmage is so fast that he’s usually up to speed by the time any defenders can make a move on him. Much like 2024 6th-round pick Jawhar Jordan, Coleman’s acceleration and intensity made up for his lack of size and top-end speed. He’s a bit more of a brute than Jordan was, though, and Coleman can really compete for early-down rush attempts thanks to his quick processing and reliability.
Though, at his height of ~5’ 9”, there are significant concerns about Coleman height not becoming a problem in the NFL. Battle Red Blog’s Kenneth Levy even included Coleman on his “Do-Not-Draft List” earlier this month, stating, “The success rate for RBs as small as Coleman is extremely low. At 5’9”, he’s a powerful back but struggles with contact at the line of scrimmage. He also has zero long-speed and gets caught from behind repeatedly.” In addition to struggling with some contact, Coleman will also be limited in pass protection at the next level given his height and weight. He’s shown some good pass-blocking reps in the past, but he’ll feel limited by his size even more so in the NFL.
Coleman, despite his size, is a very popular RB in this year’s draft thanks to his production and ability to play above his size. If he’s still available by Houston’s first selection in the fourth round (pick #106), then he will absolutely be worth taking. Jonah Coleman will at least offer more insurance in the RB room, and if he’s able to reach the ceiling of his abilities, could become a starter to compete with Woody Marks and David Montgomery for playing time. If he had more contact balance, he could really compete for a starting job, but as for right now, Jonah Coleman will remain a solid rotational RB prospect.
4. RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
- Measurements: Height: 5’ 10 ⅝”; Weight: 203 lbs.; Hand: 9 ⅝”; Arm: 30 ⅞”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.49s; 10-Yard Split: 1.61s; Vertical Jump: 35”; Broad Jump: 10’ 4”; Bench Press: 21 Reps
- 2025 Stats: 12 Games; 113 Atts; 674 Rush Yds (6.0 Y/A); 11 TDs; 6 Recs; 87 Rec Yds (14.5 Y/R); 2 Rec TDs; 78.6 PFF Grade (79.9 Run, 26.0 Pblk, 58.5 Rblk); Third-team A.P. All-American
- 2024 Stats: 16 Games; 120 Atts; 746 Yds (6.2 Y/A); 7 TDs; 4 Recs; 10 Rec Yds (2.5 Y/R); 76.4 PFF Grade (80.4 Run, 46.3 Pblk, 51.6 Rblk)
- Draft Range: Rounds 2-3
Being in the same backfield as Jeremiyah Love has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is that you’re on the same team as Love, but one disadvantage is that you won’t ever see the ball as much as Love. But, even though he was the #2 back, Jadarian Price showed so much promise behind Love that the only RB consistently ranked above him in the 2026 NFL Draft is his teammate. At 4.2 yards after contact, Price is showing some real strength, which is good news considering his rushing style. Like some other running backs in this class, Price is able to navigate the malaise in front of him and find the right gap to rush through remarkably quickly. He’s a former 4-star back coming out of Denison High School, and that foundation of talent shows itself on some zone rushes where Price’s lateral quickness will leave a defender sprinting through thin air. He can hop around one defender, maintain his balance and immediately set up another defender to whiff on a tackle attempt all in one fluid motion, which is exactly what he did against Texas A&M in 2024.
When Price does make contact, he rips through would-be tacklers and keeps his legs churning like he’s some sort of runaway train. On top of that, Price is also a decent blocker in pass-protection, and adds some impressive kickoff return ability on special teams. An average of 37.5 yards per kick return will always get the attention of Texans general manager Nick Caserio, so consider Price a priority target in Houston’s war room on day two of the draft.
What Price is missing on his tape (besides just more of it) is more bruising highlights against good fronts and more top-end speed. There were a few moments in 2025 where Price was called upon to convert on short yardage, and he just couldn’t do it. Getting some extra lower body strength could go a long way in the NFL, where the defenders will be bigger and stronger. Besides that, though, Price doesn’t really have much negative tape available. Maybe it’s due to his position as the #2 back in Notre Dame, but Jadarian Price rarely made the wrong decision when his name was called, and his short-area quickness and explosive speed made him a deadly tailback at any spot on the field. As long as his vision and efficiency doesn’t fall off a cliff if he gets more than 15 touches in a game, he should be a year-1 NFL running back, and the perfect compliment to current Texans RB Woody Marks. Houston’s problems at RB have been settled by the arrival of David Montgomery, but if Jadarian Price is able to reach his true potential in the NFL, they’ll have the RB set for years to come.
3. RB. Kealon Black, Indiana
- Measurements: Height: 5’ 9”; Weight: 208 lbs.; Hand: 8 ⅞”; Arm: 29 ⅛”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.45s; 10-Yard Split: 1.53s; Vertical Jump: 37.5”; Bench Press: 27
- 2025 Stats: 16 Games; 186 Atts; 1,040 Yds. (5.6 Y/A); 10 Rush TDs; 4 Recs; 36 Rec Yds. (9.0 Y/R); 83.7 PFF Grade (85.5 Run; 51.0 Pblk; 59.0 Rblk)
- 2024 Stats: 13 Games; 46 Atts; 251 Yds. (5.5 Y/A); 2 Rush Tds; 4 Recs; 6 Rec Yds (1.5 Y/R); 78.8 PFF Grade (84.3 Run; 12.8 Pblk; 59.1 Rblk)
- Draft Range: Rounds 5-6
Similar to Jadarian Price at Notre Dame, RB Kealon Black played second fiddle to starting RB Roman Hemby at Indiana. But, unlike Price, Black is often ranked above his teammate thanks to his thick lower half and aggressive rushing style that often earns plenty of yards after contact. A Virginia Beach native, Black is not Derrick Henry, but his quick feet get him up to speed in a hurry and make him a very difficult runner to bring down. He keeps upright at the line of scrimmage and has good vision when rushing through the gaps, keeping his pad-level low when approaching defenders, and uses his arms to fight against them. He practically attacks the ground with his feet and, even though he’s not incredibly fast, is fast enough to get through the first level of the defense in a hurry.
Although, he’s much more likely to invite the contact than try and elude tackles at the second level. He’s not going to significantly change his direction in the second level to get around somebody either, as he’s much more of a straight line runner. But, he hits that hole hard, and his acceleration that slower defenses are going to have to account for. It would be nice to see Black follow his blockers a little more, as his aggressiveness has occasionally cost him extra yards. But, if Kaelon Black is going to a team that has a plan for him to be an inside-zone runner that’ll occasionally pass-block, he’ll excel in the NFL. If he’s asked to be a workhorse back, he’ll be in trouble. Additionally, his height, like Jonah Coleman, adds a level of suspicion to how his rushing style will translate in the NFL. For the Texans, Kaelon Black would be worth a day three pick to see if he can become their version of an Isaiah Pacheco.
2. RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State
- Measurements: Height: 5’ 11 ⅜”; Weigth: 216 lbs.; Hand: 9 ½”; Arm: 29 ½”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.55s
- 2025 Stats: 12 Games; 210 Atts; 1,303 Yds (6.2 Y/A); 15 Rush TDs; 18 Recs; 68 Rec Yds (3.8 Y/R); 89.5 PFF Grade (91.3 Run, 67.1 Pblk, 57.4 Rblk)
- 2024 Stats: 16 Games; 220 Atts; 1,108 Yds (5.0 Y/A); 8 Rush TDs; 18 Recs; 153 Rec Yds (8.5 Y/R); 2 Rec TDs; 81.8 PFF Grade (86.3 Run, 49.0 Pblk, 52.2 Rblk); Third-team A.P. All-American; First-team All-Big Ten
- Draft Range: Rounds 4-5
Call me biased, call me a homer, call me delusional, because whatever the masses purport me to be, I know that I am and always will be a Kaytron Allen fan. Take it back to 2022 and you’ll find him blasting passed Ohio State LB Tommy Eichenberg for a touchdown. Go into 2023 and you’ll see him juke Michigan safety Derrick Moore out of his shoes en route to a big gain. In 2024, you’ll see him scoot away from current Browns and reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of Year, LB Carson Schwesinger. And, in 2025, you see all of those moves yet again against Ohio State’s vaunted defense. When being asked to find the hole in an inside or outside-zone rushing play, Kaytron Allen will find it and scream through it like a cannonball. He is, simply put, one of the most violent running backs in this year’s draft class, relying on his power to grind out extra yards. Despite his shorter stature, Allen is able to spy incoming linebackers that are gunning for his legs and dodge their outstretched arms. He’s a big guy that can fight through you or around you, but…he’s got a few limitations.
In his four fantastic years at Penn State, Kaytron Allen’s lack of true breakaway speed held him off the scoreboard several times. He’s fast enough to make the first layer of a defense miss, but not enough to escape fast linebackers and safeties. Additionally, Allen never really became a receiving threat nor significantly improved his pass protection. In 2025, he showed he’s definitely able to use those stronger legs to be a solid pass blocker, but against UCLA and Northwestern, it becomes clear he still has work to do. And, his 18th percentile arms are a serious hindrance on his abilities and haunt so many plays. His catch radius his extremely short, his stiff-arm range is wildly short, and his pass-blocking is limited by this lack of length. It rears its head in every facet of his game, and yet, I still find myself believing that Allen will make it a moot point in the NFL.
He’s been a dominant tailback at the highest level of college football for the better part of four years, and yes, Kaytron Allen is a bit slow. Yes, his arms are short and he adds little receiving quality. Yes, he’s not the most elusive back, but what Allen can do well – punish defenses by slashing through gaps and outside-zone holes – he can do better than most other college backs. Get him some open space and he’ll make any turn any modest gain into a highlight reel scrum for extra yardage. He’s been one of my guys since he arrived at Penn State, and now, he’s one of my favorite players in the 2026 NFL Draft. If he passes round 3 – which he should considering the arm length and lack of athleticism – the Texans should absolutely take a chance on Kaytron Allen. At the very least, they’ll get a bruising early-down rusher that’ll turn a well-blocked play into a first down.
1. RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska
- Measurements: Height: 5’ 10 ¼”; Weight: 202 lbs.; Hand: 9 ¾”; Arm: 30 ¼”; 40-Yard Dash: 4.56s; 10-Yard Split: 1.59s; Vertical Jump: 35.5”; Broad Jump: 10’ 0’; Bench Press: 16 Reps
- 2025 Stats: 12 Games; 251 Atts; 1,451 Yds. (5.8 Y/A); 12 TDs; 46 Recs; 370 Rec Yds. (8.0 Y/R); 3 Rec TDs; 85.6 PFF Grade (88.2 Run, 42.6 Pblk, 77.4 Rblk); Second-team A.P. All-American; Big Ten Conference RB of the Year; First-team All-Big Ten
- 2024 Stats: 13 Games; 117 Atts; 598 Yds (5.1 Y/A); 1 Rush TD; 39 Recs; 286 Rec Yds. (7.3 Y/R) 2 Rec TDs; 72.2 PFF Grade (78.3 Run, 8.3 Pblk, 38.1 Rblk)
- Draft Range: Rounds 3-4
Last year, out of the many, many great running backs in the 2025 draft class, I selected Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson as my #1 RB target for the Texans. He went on to be drafted 38th overall by the New England Patriots, where he had a truly great rookie season showcasing the rushing and receiving prowess that made me swoon for him this time last spring. This year, there is a new do-it-all tailback that has stolen my heart. While he is not as…cinematic of a running back as Henderson, Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson is just as impressive.
The workhorse for Nebraska’s offense, Johnson offered a blend of contact balance, vision, and speed that is ideal for the modern NFL offense. He’s able to put his foot in the turf and bounce in another direction like his shoes have springs in them, and his footwork combined with his awareness make it nearly impossible to get two hands on him. Against Michigan, Johnson’s explosive acceleration off of his first cut led to several big gains, and against Maryland, he put on a clinic of juke moves and fake-outs that would make any RB coach blush. He’s a decent receiving back, as well, with soft hands and a feel for the position, even if he is a little stiff.
Out of the very many positives that come out of Emmett Johnson, the only thing working against him in the NFL will be his size. This is the one thing that Jeremiyah Love has over him, and at 5’ 10 ¼” and 202 lbs., Johnson could stand to add a little mass to his frame for the NFL. He wasn’t great at powering through runners in college, and he’ll have even more trouble in the NFL if he wants to continue to be a successful one-cut sprinter. 1,821 total yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns doesn’t come without some serious talent, though, so even if Emmett Johnson’s size may not be up to NFL standards, his dominance in the thickest conference of all of college football (Big Ten) should be evidence that he’ll be just fine. Johnson moves through these big defenders like a hot knife through butter, and can wear down his opponents before getting tired. He can compete for snaps this year and then challenge for the starting job in 2027, but right now, the Texans shouldn’t let Emmett Johnson fall beyond their third round pick they got from the New York Giants (69th overall).
And that’s my list! I’ve always been a big fan of Kaytron Allen and will continue to pound the table for him even if it gets me nowhere, but reviewing Emmett Johnson’s and Jadarian Price’s tape for this post has changed my opinions on them. I originally thought both would be just other also-rans in the 2026 draft class, but Price’s short area agility and Emmett Johnson’s abilities to shoot through busy backfields will make them real players in the NFL. None hold a candle to Jeremiyah Love, still, but Houston will never even sniff the chance to draft a RB like that.
What do you think of my list, though? Do all of these players make good potential fits for the Houston Texans, or would they be better off going to another team? Which RB in the 2026 NFL Draft class is the best? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Go Texans!!!!
